Source: Daily_Mail
Tottenham target Keiren Westwood shuns international comparison with Shay Given
Keiren Westwood is not allowing himself to become distracted by the size of the shoes he has to fill at international level while Shay Given is sidelined with injury.[LNB]The Coventry keeper could find himself in the firing line when the Republic of Ireland launch their Euro 2012 qualification campaign in September, with Given currently recovering from a dislocated shoulder.[LNB]The 25-year-old's good club form has attracted the attention of Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp who is desperate for a suitable understudy to Heurelho Gomes.[LNB] International class: Keiren Westwood is slowly eating into Shay Given's massive cap total[LNB]Westwood won his fourth senior international cap against Paraguay on Tuesday evening, and will hope to make it five against Algeria on Friday night.[LNB]That would leave him a mere 98 behind the Manchester City keeper, who has established himself as a national hero after more than a decade of dedicated service to his country.[LNB]Westwood said: 'I have to try to not put that much emphasis on it, really, because he is a big, big goalkeeper.[LNB]'He has been fantastic for Ireland and over his career he has been great, so it's something I am trying not to do. I will let you do that, I will stay away from it.[LNB]'He's a fantastic keeper, but he is a great guy as well. He helps me on the training pitch as much as he can, which is a massive benefit for me.'[LNB] Stricken: Shay Given dislocated his shoulder playing for Manchester City in April[LNB]Given's consistency and dependability have made him a fixture in the side and left successive understudies warming their backsides on the bench, an experience suffered by Newcastle's Steve Harper for much of their 11 years or so togetherat St James' Park.[LNB]Harper at one point dubbed his then team-mate 'Lazarus' because of his ability to recover from injury quickly without missing games, and Westwood knows he will have to be patient once the senior man is back in harness.[LNB]Attracting interest: Westwood's form for Coventry City has seen him linked to a number of Premier League clubs[LNB]He said: 'You do, but he is there because he is the best and people do have to wait their chance. You have just got to do as you are told.'[LNB]By comparison, Westwood is a relative novice, although his career path has given him a healthy sense of perspective.[LNB]He said: 'I am 25 years old now and I have been playing first-team football since I was maybe 19. I have played a lot of games and I am delighted with how it has gone, really.[LNB]'I have gone from being at a big club like Man City, and getting released at 18, 19, to the Conference with Carlisle and working my way back up. [LNB]'I am happy where I am, but it is progression and I need to keep going. I won't rest on my laurels now.[LNB]'Keepers get better as they get older and I am very young as a goalie. Shay is 34, he is fantastic, David James is a good goalkeeper and he is what now, nearly 40?[LNB]'David Seaman, Peter Schmeichel - they were all really old before they finished, and they were at Arsenal and Manchester United and they were really big goalies.' [LNB] Rep of Ireland 2 Paraguay 1: Doyle and Lawrence on target in impressive winWest Brom want Sunderland keeper Fulop as a back up to CarsonMiddlesbrough 1 Coventry 1: Scott preserves Boro's unbeaten home run[LNB]
